BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 19. Racist and corrupt US Congressman Frank Pallone is attempting to misrepresent the legitimate and peaceful public protests against him during his visit to Azerbaijan for COP29 while simultaneously trying to tarnish the country's reputation, the Western Azerbaijan Community said in a recent statement, Trend reports.
According to the statement, the community highlighted that for decades, he has systematically worked against Azerbaijan and efforts to establish peace in the region, cultivating opaque ties with the Armenian lobby.
"Pallone has openly supported Armenia’s military aggression against Azerbaijan, as well as crimes committed against Azerbaijanis, including ethnic cleansing, genocide, massacres, and the destruction of cultural heritage. He has also pursued a policy of ethnic and religious hatred towards Azerbaijanis. As such, it is the fundamental right of the Azerbaijani public—especially those who endured ethnic cleansing in Armenia—to protest against the racist Pallone. However, instead of addressing the peaceful demonstrators, offering an apology, or engaging in dialogue, he sent his bodyguards to confront the protesters, including women, resulting in injuries.
Pallone's statements following his visit demonstrate that his trip to Azerbaijan was not motivated by participation in the climate change conference or a desire for constructive dialogue. Rather, his objective seemed to be to undermine the success of COP29, which is currently being held in Azerbaijan and has brought together nations from around the world. His actions appear to be aimed at tarnishing Azerbaijan's reputation and hindering its achievements.
It is important to reiterate that the Azerbaijani government and its people have consistently supported dialogue and cooperation. In contrast, figures like Pallone and certain other politically motivated individuals have repeatedly shunned dialogue in favor of slander and manipulation.
The Community of Western Azerbaijan strongly condemns Pallone's superficial performance and the anti-Azerbaijan sentiments that have gained traction in certain Western circles, particularly as exemplified by his remarks. We call on these ‘politicians’ to cease obstructing peace efforts in the region and to respect the right of Azerbaijanis who were forcibly displaced from Armenia to return to their ancestral lands," the community statement said.